SIG Sauer has been aggressively designing, engineering, and winning military contracts since Ron Cohen took over as CEO. When the military told SIG that the suppressors being used by warfighters were venting toxic, carcinogenic fumes back into shooter’s faces through ejection ports and around charging handles, SIG decided to design a low back pressure suppressor line to reduce the amount of toxic gas going back towards the shooter’s nose and mouth.
The SLX suppressor line was designed specifically for the needs of the SURG (Suppressed Upper Receiver Group for SOCOM) contract and for the Army’s next-gen squad weapons program. (NGSW). SLX stands for SIG Low Toxicity. SLH stands for SIG Low Toxicity Hybrid.
The SLX suppressor line had to be both hearing-safe and reduce the harmful gasses coming out of ejection ports. To achieve this design, SIG purchased computing power from MIT. The designs that SIG came up with couldn’t be machined in traditional 5 axis CNC and so DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) or metal 3D printing is how the SLX and SLH lines are produced. They are available in both Inconel and Titanium. The Inconel is heavier but full-auto rated.
The SLX Suppressor line achieved a 70% reduction in toxic gases while remaining hearing safe. It’s currently in use with the U.S. Military. The SLH or Hybrid was designed with slightly more backpressure so that subsonic’s like 300 BLK would function. Even with more backpressure, the SLH still achieves a 50% reduction in toxic fumes.
The model we’ve been testing is the SLH 7.62 TI. It’s ideal for 300 Blackout but is rated up to 300 Win Mag. It’s extremely lightweight at only 12 ounces (for the direct thread model) and is just 7.5 inches long. Due to its weight, it’s equally at home on a tactical 300 BLK AR or on a bolt action hunting rifle.
The SLH 7.62 TI features a unique built-in flash hider in the end cap. It’s also available with SIG’s Clutch-LOK QD mounting system, which we didn’t test.
How quiet is it? SIG doesn’t publish numbers because no matter what they publish, a different gun with different ammo will produce a different number. I can tell you through my testing and shooting that it’s hearing safe. It’s not as quiet as some of my other suppressors, but they don’t feature the flow-through low toxicity capabilities that the SLH has and they’re heavier. What’s the point in preserving your hearing if you just die from cancer or from poisonous gasses?
The only downside to the SLH 7.62 TI is that you must take some care not to overheat it. The TI models are rated for semi-auto only. You shouldn’t be doing mag dumbs if you want this to last. That being said, as long as you don’t overheat it (turn it red), it is stronger than a traditional welded titanium suppressor. The exact same design, in Inconel, is essentially what SIG is using on their machine guns. Durability and a life time of service should be a non-issue as all of the SIG SLX and SLH suppressor models have passed a 12,000 round military durability test.
If you’re interested in purchasing a SIG SLX or SLH you can order one through any SIG dealer that has an SOT. You should expect to pay between $1100 and $1400 depending on the specific model you choose.
Visit SIG Sauer to learn more about the SLH by clicking HERE
Hey True!
Can you provide some more insight on the SLH sound reduction performance? You mention it’s not as quiet as your other cans. Specifically which other suppressors have you compared it to?
I’m interested in its performance shooting 300 BLK Subsonic. I’ve contacted Sig many times over the past few months about the new SLH line with no response. I would like to know how it compares in sound reduction to the old SRD762ti and the shorter Q Half Nelson.
Thanks!